I have just returned from a two week residency in the Heinrich
Böll cottage on Achill Island.
This
cottage is available for use by writers, poets and artists from around the
world.
The cottage was made available
through Heinrich Böll’s family and is supported by Mayo County Council and
administered by the Heinrich Böll Committee.
Information about Heinrich Böll, a Nobel Prize winning author, the
annual weekend of writing and talks and details of how to apply for the
residency are available at
http://heinrichboellcottage.com/
Having only visited Achill Island once before, when I was
child, it was wonderful to return. I had
the opportunity to take time to read and think.
The weather was fantastic and constantly changing so I took the
opportunity to walk and explore the area.
As for painting, I did lots of that too…
With so little distraction, in my case no television to watch, I felt
like I gained hours every evening and all the walking in the mornings really
energised me. Such a great experience
and a huge thank you to all involved, in particular John McHugh and the committee.
|
The view from the study down towards the beach in Dugort |
|
Tree roots remain on the beach at Dugort |
|
Keel Beach with a rain shower approaching |
|
A rubbing of a tile over the fireplace in the cottage |
|
Instead of buying postcards I took the time to make some |